Want to install a garden shed? Everything you need to know about costs, insulation and security | My garden

Garden houses come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Where a classic garden house used to have decorative edges and relief, it is now often very modern. Sleek lines and glass elements often predominate. Moreover, in addition to storage space, a garden house now also functions as a home office, studio, man cave or hobby room. You can choose a custom-made model, a ready-made model or a DIY kit. And in terms of materials, between a warm wooden, solid metal or budget-friendly plastic garden house. See here what you definitely need to know before installing your garden house.

Whatever type of garden house you choose, This checklist full of practical tips will help you find your way.

The most commonly chosen material for a garden house is probably wood. Hard woods, such as oak or teak, are popular classics. But ecological thermowood or heated European softwood also scores well. A metal garden house can be made from aluminum or galvanized steel, with or without a protective layer of lacquer or powder coating. Garden houses made of PVC or polycarbonate are also possible.

Whether you have a limited or ample budget: a garden house is available for everyone’s budget. The price of a garden house largely depends on the material you choose. Wood and metal are more expensive than PVC or polycarbonate. Moreover, you can almost always build a garden house made from such a budget-friendly material yourself, which will save you money.

Don’t forget additional costs such as roofing, flooring, ventilation grilles, door, lock and gutters. Depending on your wishes, prices vary from several hundred to several thousand euros.

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In principle, you must apply for a permit for a garden house. In Flanders, this is often not necessary in practice, provided you adhere to certain rules. Your garden house may not be higher than 3.5 meters and must be within a radius of 30 meters from your home. You must also always respect the distance from the property boundaries. The maximum surface area of ​​your garden house is 40 m². Please note: all existing detached outbuildings are included. So, for example, if you already have a conservatory of 20 m², you are only exempt from a permit if your garden house occupies a maximum of 20 m². Check here whether you need a permit.

These are some of the rules that apply to a classic garden house. However, do you have big plans and would you like to convert it into a studio, office or tiny house in the long term? Then you have to apply for a permit and hire an architect. Read more about the environmental permit.

Are you a real do-it-yourselfer? Then you can easily install your garden house yourself. The fastest and easiest way is with a ready-made construction kit. They come in all kinds of materials, sizes and shapes. Almost all parts are custom-made, you just have to assemble them according to the enclosed manual. If you are not very handy or prefer the convenience of someone who installs a ready-made garden house for you, know that you will pay a little more for this.

The location of your garden house depends on what type of garden house you are looking for. Do you only want to use it as storage space? Then it is best to place it as far back as possible in the garden. Would you rather use it to stay in and around it in the evening and enjoy your garden longer? In that case, it is advisable to place your garden house more south-facing. Facilities for water and electricity also deserve your attention.

A garden house needs a good foundation. A concrete floor is the strongest, but requires time and preparation. Wondering how you can pour a concrete surface for your garden house yourself? Find out in this handy four-step plan.

After you have determined the location and drawn the plan, you can start excavating the foundation. To do this, you need to dig away the soil, vibrate the subsoil and apply formwork before you can pour the concrete.

A garden house is only complete when you can keep all your things dry. And you need a waterproof roof for that. What type of roofing does your garden house need? That depends on your personal preference. Corrugated sheets are perfect as roofing for a garden house. Nowadays there are also modern corrugated sheets that give your roof a sleek look. Metal roof tiles and shingles are also options. Are you building a garden house with a flat roof? Then roofing or EDPM rubber is a good choice.

Job. This is how you place corrugated sheets on a roof yourself.

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Are you planning to use your garden house as a work, storage or extra living space? Then you would do well to insulate it. Especially if you keep electronics or other valuables there. They may otherwise suffer from condensation in the garden house. The insulation will keep the garden house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and you will avoid mold and moisture problems. It will cost you a little more to provide insulation, but in the long term the investment is certainly worth it. Here you will find all information about insulation.

If you keep valuables in your garden shed, it is best to protect it well against unwanted visitors. Sturdy hinges and locks are the first step. If you can lock your windows and door(s) properly, the chance of theft is much smaller. Choose locks that are difficult to force. Outdoor lighting also deters burglars. Make sure you have a decent outdoor lamp that turns on when there is movement. With a garden fence you provide an extra barrier. And if your garden house serves as a real workplace, you can consider an alarm system.

If you plan to use your garden house a lot for activities that require electricity and lighting, think about this carefully in advance and make sure you have all the facilities. This not only allows you to work comfortably in your garden house, it also increases your safety when you work in a well-lit environment. Please pay attention to the applicable standards and regulations, so that your electrical installation is compliant. If necessary, leave this to an electrician.

Do you know the basics of your electrical installation? Learn more about the different parts.

You are increasingly seeing garden houses that also have a roof. Such a structure consists of two parts: a covered part (the canopy) and an enclosed part (the garden house). The canopy is usually open on the sides and can serve as shelter from sun, rain and other weather conditions, while the garden house provides an enclosed space for storage, workspace or relaxation.

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This article was written by our partner Livios.be, an expert site that focuses on construction and renovation.

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